Camping at Isle Royale National Park

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One of the U.S. National Park system's hidden gems is Michigan's Isle Royale National Park. In the middle of Lake Superior, far from Michigan's coast and almost to the Canadian boarder, Isle Royale offers a breathtaking mix of scenery, wildlife and recreational activities. Although some visitors prefer to stay at the park's lodge, most camp in one of Isle Royale's 36 campgrounds. Accessible only through ferries that depart from Michigan or Minnesota, Isle Royale is as isolated as it is picturesque.

West Side Camping, Windigo

Isle Royale's west side, Windigo, offers a variety of nature trails and walks that will give you access to stunning Lake Superior views and bring you up close with animals such as the bull moose. The Windigo information center is accessible by ferry from the town of Grand Portage, Minn. Windigo's central trail, Feldtmann Ridge, leads to four campgrounds that vary in size and form. For instance, Washington Creek, .3 miles from the Windigo information center, has 10 "shelters," each with three sides, and five tent sites. Feldtmann Lake, 8.5 miles from the Windigo information center, has five tent sites but no shelters. Visitors to the Isle's west side who wish to trek further should consider the two Lake Desor campgrounds, approximately 13 miles from the Windigo information center along the Minong Ridge and Greenstone Ridge trails.

East Side Camping, Rock Harbor

Isle Royale's east side, Rock Harbor, has an even higher concentration of campgrounds. To get to the Rock Harbor information center, you will need to take a ferry or seaplane from Houghton, Mich. Adjacent to the Rock Harbor information center, you will find the Rock Harbor campground, the park's largest and most accessible. The Rock Harbor campground has 11 tent sites for small groups, nine shelters and three group camp sites. However, since you can only camp at Rock Harbor for one night, it's important to consider additional east island campgrounds. Another campground within a five-mile hike of the information center is Three Mile, with four tent sites, eight shelters and three group sites.

Backcountry Camping Areas

Experienced campers will relish Isle Royale's backcountry. Trails such as the Greenstone Ridge will lead to campsites along Chickenbone Lake. At Chickenbone Lake, you can head north and link up with the Minong Ridge, which will you bring to a campsite near the Pittsburg and Isle Royale mines. Other popular backcountry campsites include Lake Richie, Intermediate Lake and Hatchet Lake. Since many of these campsites require 10-plus mile hikes, make sure you have enough water and equipment with you. Even if you only hike a short distance, come prepared with water, since Isle Royale has very little running water. Should you leave your water at home, note that you must boil all lake water for at least two minutes before you drink it, to ensure that you kill harmful bacteria.

Boat Accessible Campgrounds

Isle Royale has many additional campground that are only accessible by private boat or ferry. Island campgrounds include Caribou Island, Tookers Island and Belle Isle (near Rock Harbor). The west side of Isle Royale also has island campgrounds such as Beaver Island and Grace Island.

Reservations

Only parties of seven people or more can reserve campgrounds. Therefore, if you plan to camp alone or with only a few other people, it is vital that you head to your campsite early. The summer season is especially crowded, and popular campgrounds will fill to capacity quickly. Most campgrounds are designed for small camping parties, and have only a handful of sites. If you arrive at a campsite and it is already claimed, the National Park Service suggests you ask the current campers if they mind if you camp there too. Most campsites will be large enough to accommodate both groups. Large parties of seven or more require advanced reservations. The National Park Service will then assign your large group a strict itinerary and group campsite. Only certain campgrounds have group sites. Campgrounds with at least two group sites include Chickenbone West (three sites), Feldtmann Lake (two sites) and Three Mile (three sites). If you are in a smaller camping party, get your camping permit on the ferry that transports you to the island. Permits will cost you a small fee, $4 per person as of 2010.

Facilities

Isle Royale has very limited facilities. No campground has showers or storage lockers. The only running water is at Rock Harbor and the Washington Creek campground. Most campgrounds have canoe/kayak/boat access. Pit toilets are also available at various spots around the island. Although Isle Royale has no food services on island, you can mail a food pack in advance to the Grand Portage, Minn., Post Office, and pick up your food pack before you board your boat. The Isle Royale FAQ page provides specific instructions on sending yourself a food pack.

References

National Geographic Guide to the National Parks; Caroline Hickey, Project Manager; 2003.

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About the Author

Alexander Grouch is a freelance screenwriter, journalist and children's book author. He currently writes music reviews for "The Red Alert." Grouch has visited all 48 contiguous states and plans to document his journeys in a travelogue. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Africana studies from Brown University.